• Serena Williams, who said her first auto purchase was a while Lincoln Navigator SUV she named “Ginger,” has signed to become an official spokesperson for the brand. A social media-based marketing campaign includes videos of Williams talking about and driving the 2018 Navigator, with ongoing videos to follow. “Partnering with a brand like Navigator comes from a genuine place,” she said in the first video. “Let’s just be honest: Serena Williams needs to be in the new Navigator.”

• The Smashing Pumpkins unveil 'Shiny And Oh So Bright' 36-city tour, their first tour in nearly 20 years, with founding members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, James Iha. Produced by Live Nation.

May 12, 2017: Tom Brady, who took on commissioner Roger Goodall and the NFL over "Deflate-gate," and faces opposing defenders on a regular basis, is now dealing with something even more ominous: the Madden NFL Curse.

Electronic Arts reveled today that Brady, veteran quarterback for the New England Patriots and MVP of Super Bowl LI this past February, would be on the cover of Madden NFL for the first time.

"The Madden NFL 18 cover is a great honor for me," Brady said in a statement. "Especially since I have been playing the game since growing up next to EA headquarters in the (San Francisco) Bay Area."

Brady also referenced the legendary Madden Curse, which has seen several Madden NFL cover athletes succumb to injury, poor performances on the field or a trade following their cover stint, including teammate Rob Gronkowski last year when he appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 17.

"I’m not one to believe in curses, so I'm ready to take the challenge head on like always!," said Brady. "It doesn't stand a chance!!!"

If nothing else, Brady has the numbers to back up his words: Five Super Bowl titles — perhaps highlighted by Brady leading New England from a 28-3 deficit to a 34-28 win in Supe rBowl LI — four-time Super Bowl MVP, 12-time All-Pro, 61,582 yards passing and 456 touchdowns.

This marks the first time in Madden NFL history that teammates have had back-to-back covers.

Gronkowski and EA Sports last season even created a humorous ad that cautiously poked fun at the Madden Curse.

Madden NFL 18 is scheduled to hit retail on Aug. 25.

A trailer for Madden NFL 18 shows Brady walking down a tunnel to the field as a crowd chants, “MVP. MVP.” As he hits the field, fireworks go off and Brady raises a No. 1 finger to the sky.

Text offers, "Madden like you’ve never seen it." This year’s game will be "powered by Frostbite, one of the industry’s world-class game engines, creating a Madden NFL experience like you’ve never seen before," according to EA Sports.

"Frostbite delivers a significant visual leap not only to the players, but crowds, stadiums and more. Such a special game truly deserves an equally-special cover athlete," said EA Sports. (See the full spot here.)

According to EA Sports, new details about the game, including a new mode, are set to debut at EA PLAY on June 10.

Along with the cover news, EA also said that people who pre-order the standard edition would receive such perks as the choice of an Elite player from their favorite NFL team for use in Madden NFL 18 Ultimate Team, as well as five Squad Packs, redeemable at launch.

People who pre-order the G.O.A.T. Edition get perks from the standard edition as well as one of five G.O.A.T. players of their choice for Madden NFL 18 Ultimate Team.

"I’m not one to believe in curses, so I'm ready to take the challenge head on like always! It doesn't stand a chance!!!"

EA Sports said that people who pre-order the G.O.A.T. Edition would get three-day early access, letting them start their season on Aug. 22.

EA Access members can play for up to ten hours starting August 17 with the EA Access Play First Trial.

Although this is his first cover, he is not the first quarterback. Previous Madden NFL covers have featured Michael Vick (’04), Donovan McNabb (’05), Brett Favre (’08) and Drew Brees (’11).

Since its launch in 1988 (when it was know as John Madden Football), Madden NFL has sold more than 150 million copies and topped $4.5 billion in total sales.